RE: group based judgment

From: Rafal Smigrodzki (rms2g@virginia.edu)
Date: Mon Jul 29 2002 - 16:37:45 MDT


Harvey Newstrom wrote:

If my data record at the airport shows me to be male, that would be
"actual information" about me.

and:

Someone could extrapolate a profile for me that I am "probably"
female. This would be information from profile statistics that gets
recorded in my data record.

### So, basically, "actual information" is true. You choose to define any
untrue information as "profile". Of course, if you choose your meanings this
way, you fail to address the issues I wanted to discuss.

---------

El Al doesn't using profiling, presumably because they don't
think it works.

### According to the article we discussed, El Al does use profiling. You
wrote they do, too -

"Developing a database on a person, using background
checks, clearance investigations, credit reports, police reports, and
other actual records is NOT profiling."

 - but you do not call it profiling. However you choose to name it, they do
collect data about their passengers and use it after suitable statistical
processing to guide the extent of examination and decisions about admission
to the flight. Which is what I wanted to have acknowledged as a reasonable
procedure, no matter how it is called.

I don't think we'll be able to untangle this knot of conflicting usages. I
suggest we stop this discussion.

Rafal



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